Collections

The Des Plaines History Center collects historic objects and documents to preserve, research, and interpret Des Plaines' past. We use collections in creating exhibits and public programs. If you want to give material to our collections please read our page on donations. Check out our online collections on the Des Plaines Memory website (in cooperation with the Des Plaines Public Library) and highlights from the collections on our Des Plaines History Blog.

The History Center's collections are open for all people performing historical research on topics in Des Plaines history. There is an access fee for non-members. It is best to review our holdings and policies in the early stages of your project.

We make regular blog entries for our Object of the Month as well as holidays. These are intended to highlight material from our collections, enhance knowledge of Des Plaines history, give readers practice in performing research, and create discussion on history topics.

The Des Plaines History Center and the Des Plaines Public Library have joined resources to make both institutions' historic collections available online through the Des Plaines Memory website. Here, you can browse our contributions or share your own family's history without losing ownership of your material.

Conant Tweets

Conant Tweets features a daily diary entry from an 1836 journal written by Des Plaines pioneer Augustus Conant. Image and original daybook courtesy Chicago History Museum. A transcribed copy of the Conant Diary is available for viewing or reading in the the DPHC archives.

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